free resources

free resources

‘Freedom’ to Read on the Inside

‘Freedom’ to Read on the Inside

What do you do if you want a book, but can’t pay for it?  The answer is obvious – get it from the library.  But not all libraries are created equal, and some lack the resources to acquire the material their patrons need.  In particular, prison libraries are more dependent on donations of books than public or academic libraries are, which generally enjoy more public support and stable funding.  This isn’t a small problem – almost 2.3 million people in this country are in prison; and 47,000 in Indiana. However, recent technological advances have resulted in many states issuing e-readers to prisoners, similar to educational initiatives in schools.  This allows incarcerated people to maintain more of the human connection the … Continued
Open Access with One Click

Open Access with One Click

Have you ever tried to look up a specific article recommended to you or perhaps came across one in a database that you simply don’t have access to or you hit a paywall? This is a problem faced by researchers and librarians alike and it can be discouraging and frustrating when, at a glance, an article seems perfect for your research, but it’s just out of reach. However, it’s possible that the article is available via Open Access somewhere else on the internet in some way, shape, or form. There is actually not one, but two different tools, browser extensions to be exact, that can help you locate the open access version, if it’s available, with one simple click. Open … Continued
Discovering “Open culture”

Discovering “Open culture”

If your New Year resolutions include learning more – about anything – then we have a website for you! In addition to providing subscription resources for library users, the IU East Campus library staff is always on the alert for interesting, reliable and open access sources. An excellent “go to” source for an eclectic array of cultural content is Open Culture. The diversity of topics is extensive and are in a variety of formats such as films, courses, digital archives, lectures, books, music, and art. Free resources linked through their site include 1,300 online courses, 1,150 movies, 700 audio books, 800 eBooks, 200 textbooks, 300 language lessons, 150 business courses, and K-12 education. These aren’t just surface-level knowledge, either, that … Continued